Walter Landsittel Crandall

1933 - 2022

Walter Landsittel Crandall passed away on April 14, 2022 after a lengthy illness. He was born to Rhea Landsittel and Walter Thomas Crandall on August 10, 1933 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. His father was an engineer for Sinclair Oil Company thus he was raised in the Vencil Oil Camp in Oklahoma. Walt was a dedicated brother to his little sisters, Gladys and Patricia. Growing up he was active in Boy Scouts and while in high school he obtained the rank of Eagle Scout. Walt graduated from Pascal High School in Fort Worth in 1951 and went on to attend Texas A&M University. He was a proud member of the Corp of Cadets and graduated in 1955 with a degree in Petroleum Engineering. After graduation he served two years in the U.S. Army as a 1st Lieutenant in the Ordinance Corps. He was honorably discharged in 1958 and began his career as a petroleum engineer like his father before him, with Sinclair Oil Company in Gainesville, Texas. His engineering career took him around the United States with positions in Mississippi, Louisiana, Colorado, Wyoming, Texas, New Mexico and Alaska. Walt was most proud of his work on the development of the North Slope of Alaska for ARCO. He was part of the initial development of both Prudhoe Bay and Kuparuk oilfields. After ten years in Alaska, he requested a transfer back to the lower 48 states to be closer to his family. In 1986 ARCO sent him to Midland, Texas then Denver City, Texas and finally to Hobbs, New Mexico where he retired in 1993. After the death of his sister Patricia, he moved back to Midland in 2006 to be closer to his sister Gladys. Walt loved baseball, liked football, and would watch any sport in which his beloved Aggies were competing. He also enjoyed crossword puzzles, Sudoku and reading the Wall Street Journal. Prior to his illness he faithfully attended St. Luke's United Methodist Church. He valued his family and never missed a family event. He will be greatly missed by his sister Gladys Crandall Hickman and husband Scott of Midland, niece Cathy Norwood and husband Danny of Midland, nephew Walter Hickman and wife Libbie of Ft. Collins, Colorado, niece Elizabeth Miller and husband Alex of Dallas. Walt is also survived by his great nieces and nephews Libby Norwood of Washington, DC, Carly Norwood of Dallas, Lindy, Avery and Finley Hickman of Ft. Collins, Colorado and Annabelle, AnnaCatherine and Kynaston Miller of Dallas. Walt was preceded in death by his parents and sister Patricia Anne Crandall. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, April 20 at 10:00 a.m. at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home, Midland, TX. Walt will be laid to rest beside his little sister, Patricia in a private burial service at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Dallas. Honorary pallbearers will be Scott Hickman, Walter Hickman, Danny Norwood, Alex Miller, Kynaston Miller and Finley Hickman. Walt's family would like to thank the devoted staff of the Cowden Cottage at Manor Park for caring for Walt in his final years. Memorials may be made to Manor Park, 2208 North Loop 250 West, Midland, TX 79707 or Hospice of Midland, 911 West Texas Ave., Midland, TX 79701. Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.